by Pastor Cecil | Mar 29, 2019 | Hebrews
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
This week’s hymn was written over 300 years ago by Isaac Watts. It would be impossible to fully know the number of lives it has touched since he wrote it. One of those lives was the blind hymn writer, Fanny J. Crosby. In the autumn of 1850 revival meetings were being held in the Thirtieth Street Methodist Church in New York City.
Fanny and some of her friends attended each night and she craved for spiritual joy, but could not find it. On the evening of November 20, 1850, it seemed to her that the light must indeed come then or never. After a prayer was offered, they began to sing this hymn. When they sang “Here Lord, I give myself away,” her soul was flooded with a celestial light. She realized what her problem had been. She realized that she had been trying to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other.
At the Cross
1. Alas! and did my Savior bleed, And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head, For sinners such as I?
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
2. Was it for crimes that I had done, He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
3. Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut his glories in, When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the creature’s sin.
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
4. But drops of grief can ne’er repay, The debt of love I owe: Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’Tis all that I can do.
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
Are you like Fanny Crosby—looking for joy to fill your soul? Her answer is our answer— Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’Tis all that I can do.
To access this week’s free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com. please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/atthecross/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 28, 2019 | Exodus
Exodus 20:17
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
You will notice that the tenth commandment is the one that deals with wanting something that belongs to someone else. It does not matter if it is cash, computer, or car – – some people see it, covet it, and try to get their hands on it.
In Joshua chapter 7 we read the tragic saga of a man named Achan, who kept plunder from Jericho in direct violation of what God had commanded. When his sin was revealed he finally confessed that he had seen these wonderful items (a garment, silver, and gold) and had desired them, took them, then buried them. He and his family paid the ultimate price.
Years later we read how King David peered over the walls of his palatial home, saw Bathsheba bathing, lusted for her, took her into his bed, then tried to hide his sin by arranging for her husband, Uriah, to be killed in battle.
How are we to deal with this tendency to covet and thus violate the tenth commandment? Paul gives us the answer in Philippians 4:12-13; “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
ALWAYS OBEY THE LORD!
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 27, 2019 | Romans
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
As we observe the world around us we can become overcome or we can be an overcomer. The difference is worlds apart. If we allow the rottenness to overcome us we will increasingly withdraw from the battle of sharing the light of Jesus Christ to a sin-sick and dark world.
I never thought I would live to see the day when good is proclaimed to be evil and evil is proclaimed to be good — but it is happening! People are concerned about allowing sin to have unchallenged freedom at the expense of the unchanging Word of God.
Families and communities have been devastated by the consequences of sinful activities, but many try to silence the voice of God. It is depressing, and if we are not cautious it will cause us to allow depression to silence the truth.
In today’s Scripture we are told that we are not to allow the rottenness of sin to overcome us. That means to give ourselves an attitude adjustment. Instead of allowing ourselves to crawl in a corner and sob, we are to overcome the evil we see by doing good. That means shining bright for Jesus in thought, word, and deed! Are you being overcome by evil or are you overcoming by doing good? I challenge you to do good and become an OVERCOMER!
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 26, 2019 | Philippians
Philippians 3:7
“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.”
There are many burial sites in Egypt left by the former mighty rulers of that ancient nation. Most of these self-proclaimed gods or goddesses wanted to be buried with masses of gold and precious stones that was meant to provide for their afterlife. In the majority of cases, however, tomb robbers discovered the burial sites and plundered everything of value.
We may shake our heads at the foolish idea that we can take anything with us when we depart this life. In Job 1:21 that righteous man gives us wonderful words of wisdom: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there.”
Jesus shared the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, and we see that the rich man had absolutely nothing of this world’s goods with him — not even a drop of cool water. That should warn us against relying on the things of this world.
What should really capture our efforts are the things that will last for eternity. The more we devote ourselves to the things of God, the more we will find the love and joy He promises to His children that He cherishes. That is what really matters!
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 25, 2019 | 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:8-9
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
Years ago I read about a naturalist who spent several seasons living among and studying grizzly bears. They seemed to be very friendly since he had known many of them since they were just cubs.
One year his support plane arrived to take him out after his time spent with his friendly bears. They only found scraps of his clothing left. His “friends” had consumed him!
Over the years I have counseled many people who played around with tempting situations, believing that they could only go to a point and then stop just before things went too far. Unfortunately, they would cry their eyes out when the situation got out of hand and the consequences of sin demanded payment.
I pray that you who are reading this are not playing with dangers that may one day consume you. If you are, I beg you to immediately get away to a place of safety. That place is in the arms of our Savior who died to rescue us from the jaws of the enemy. Confess your sin and turn back to Him. He is waiting to welcome you!
Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
